Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Gedion Timothewos, visited South Sudan to discuss economic ties and bilateral cooperation with President Salva Kiir. Their meeting included topics on a joint infrastructure project amidst recent political turmoil in South Sudan involving arrests related to First Vice President Riek Machar’s supporters.
On a working visit to Juba, South Sudan, Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos, conveyed a message from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to President Salva Kiir Mayardit. This meeting, which took place on Friday, included discussions on bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest. Moreover, Gedion engaged with South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ramadan Mohammed Abdallah Goc, emphasizing the importance of economic cooperation between the two nations.
During their discussions, Gedion and Kiir also delved into the strategic partnership that is being fostered, including the collaboration on a significant joint infrastructure project designed to enhance economic ties. This effort reflects ongoing negotiations and initiatives aimed at strengthening the partnership between Ethiopia and South Sudan.
However, the backdrop to these discussions includes recent political unrest in South Sudan, characterized by the arrest of the Petroleum Minister and various military officials aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar. These developments have instigated concern regarding stability, signaling a challenging political landscape within South Sudan, previously mediated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who played a role in alleviating tensions between Kiir and Machar in earlier years.
In summary, Gedion Timothewos’s visit to South Sudan underscores Ethiopia’s commitment to fostering economic partnership and addressing regional security issues. While progress on the infrastructure project and bilateral cooperation is evident, recent political tensions in South Sudan pose challenges to stability, highlighting the need for sustained diplomatic engagement. The historical context of previous mediation efforts by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed further emphasizes the significance of ongoing communication between these two neighboring countries.
Original Source: borkena.com
